Jammu: A 32-year-old Kashmiri man, Bilal Ahmad Kuchey, died while in the custody of Indian police in occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The incident has raised concerns over the treatment of detainees, as allegations of harassment and interrogation have surfaced.

According to Kashmir Media Service, Bilal Ahmad Kuchey was arrested and falsely charged by India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) on August 25, 2020, in connection with a suicide attack on an Indian paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force convoy in Pulwama district, an incident that occurred five years prior to his arrest. The charges against him included violations under several stringent laws such as the Arms Act, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Foreigners Act, and Public Property (Prevention of Damages) Act.

Reports indicate that Bilal faced continuous harassment and interrogation by the NIA and military officials following his arrest. This alleged mistreatment led to Bilal’s deteriorating health, resulting in his hospitalization on September 17 in Kishtwar district jail. Despite being under medical care, Indian officials reported that he succumbed to a heart attack late Monday night.

The circumstances surrounding Bilal Ahmad Kuchey’s death have intensified scrutiny on the handling of prisoners in the region, prompting calls for a thorough investigation into the practices of custodial management and interrogation techniques employed by security forces in occupied Jammu and Kashmir.